Truck stopped across Menifee roadway causes back to back accidents
The Jeep involved in the collision sustained major damage. William Hayes photo
MENIFEE – At least three vehicles, including a tractor-trailer semi truck hauling a 53-foot box trailer, were involved in two separate but related early morning traffic accidents at the corner of Leon and Keller Roads Aug. 23.
In spite of the severe damage to the two vehicles, the occupants of the small car and SUV sustained only minor injuries and had general complaints of pain after the two accidents.
A CHP incident log showed California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency first responders were first dispatched to the accidents at 4:26 a.m.
One of the first calls to 911 was made by the driver of the semi truck, who told dispatchers he had pulled off Leon Road onto Keller Road just moments before the accident to get his GPS bearing to where he was traveling to.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse came to rest on its’ roof after the rollover. William Hayes photo
The driver told CHP dispatchers his truck and trailer were parked on Keller Road when a black Jeep Grand Cherokee that was being driven southbound on Leon Road struck the back-end of his trailer.
Evidence at the scene and witness statements indicated that when the driver of the truck pulled onto Keller Road he had inadvertently left the back-end of his trailer sticking out into the southbound lane of traffic on Leon Road.
When the Jeep smashed into the trailer, it was ripped to pieces, leaving debris strewn across the entire roadway. The SUV came to rest on its’ wheels on the dirt northbound shoulder of Leon Road.
Frank Canez, of Murrieta, told Epicenter News reporter William Hayes he was traveling southbound on Leon Road approaching Keller Road in his Jeep just before the accident. He realized at the last moment that the back-end of the big rigs’ trailer was sticking into the southbound lane of traffic. He swerved to avoid the trailer but struck it with the passenger side of his SUV.
Firefighters look over the damage to the Jeep. William Hayes photo
About 30-45 seconds after the initial collision, a gray Mitsubishi Eclipse – that was also being driven southbound on Leon Road – came upon the accident scene and smashed into debris that had been left in the roadway after the first collision.
The impact caused the second vehicle to roll over, sustaining major damage. The coupe came to rest on its’ roof on the northbound shoulder of the roadway, mere feet from where the Jeep ended up.
The victim was able to exit her car after the collision and she had general complaints of pain. Paramedics treated her at the scene before they transported the victim to a local hospital with unknown injuries. She was not identified.
CHP is conducting an investigation into the two accidents.
Anyone with information about this accident or who witnessed the collisions is encouraged to call CHP officials at (951) 506-2000. Callers can remain anonymous.
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